MAPPA CEO Manabu Otsuka has shared his stance on artificial intelligence in anime, arguing that the technology should support artists rather than replace their creative contributions. In an interview with Anime Corner, the executive explained that AI belongs alongside other production tools, including digital software and 3D animation.
“Whether it’s digital tools, 3D, or indeed AI – to me, all of these are ultimately tools, and nothing more than tools,”
Otsuka said.
The MAPPA chief emphasized that technology alone cannot reproduce the human creativity responsible for making anime emotionally engaging.
“Quality that moves people emotionally can only come from human beings – it has to be people who create it,”
he added.
Otsuka explained that the studio will continue evaluating emerging technologies based on their usefulness, with efficiency remaining a key consideration. He stressed that while tools can streamline workflows, people must retain control over the creative process.
“The creative process has to come from people,”
he stated.
Otsuka’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of generative AI in animation, particularly over its potential impact on artists, voice performers, and creative jobs. The use of AI-generated voice tracks in projects such as Banana Fish has previously drawn criticism, while other industry figures have publicly discussed avoiding generative AI in anime production.
For MAPPA, the immediate question is how emerging technology can assist production without compromising the work of its artists. The studio is associated with major titles including Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Attack on Titan, making Otsuka’s position relevant to the wider conversation about anime’s technological future.
His comments do not rule out AI entirely. Instead, they establish a distinction between using technology to improve efficiency and allowing it to take over creative decisions.
| Date Aired (Start) | October 3, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Studio | MAPPA |
| Director | Sunghoo Park |
